Setting up a Test Bed

[Alan B]

Sparks beat me to it!  Yes you can still get it - as he says lawnmowers etc.  Plus there is still a market for the classic Cars etc.

[sparks59]

Or you could, if desperate or tight, try white vinegar...

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_4827364_use-vinegar-as-carburetor-cleaner.html

[sparks59]

But it's GBP3.95 in Buxtons, and just over a fiver for a can of Wynns in Halfords.

[Stephen Grigg]

Thanks guys,my lawn mower carb has never needed  a clean,to car orientated me

[sparks59]

Diesel (DERV . not Diethyl ether) is also good for degumming.

 

The trick we used to do with old Air cooled VW engines, which were known for reduced compression due to 'sticky valves', was to start the engine and keeping the throttle held open, pour a cup of diesel straight into the carb choke. It worked a treat....though everything in the street dissappeared into a cloud of grey smoke for a few minutes

 

 

[Stephen Grigg]

I remember doing that also Sparks

[sparks59]

Posted by Stephen Grigg on 22/11/2010 15:52:13:

I remember doing that also Sparks

 Aha! Another disciple of John Muir's book, "'How to keep your Volkswagen Alive" methinks!

[Stephen Grigg]

No, Sparks,anything to get it to run right so I could sell it.Now with  Emmisions the way they are,the cars run fine but impossible to get through the MOT,new cats,new Lamda probes whatever makes tthe emmisions low enough to get them through.Work the cost out,all the profits gone.

[Phil Claridge]

good old redex in the carb worked wonders, remember it a penny a shot

[Stephen Grigg]

Yes Phil,I remember my Dad getting Redex when I was a boy

[Peter Beeney]

   I too remember sitting on my Grandfather’s knee whilst he was expounding the virtues of Redex as an additive for petrol. One shot from a glass dispenser on the garage forecourt, per gallon of petrol, which was then three and sixpence. He always said that was proper money, unlike today’s monopoly equivalent, which would be 17.5 pence.

   Methylated Spirit is also very good for cleaning model engine bits. It’s very similar to methanol, in fact I think it does contain some methanol, and it dissolves the gummed up oil etc. very quickly. I’ve never had that much success with mineral based products where stuff like castor oil is concerned .
   M/Spt is also very cheap, and extremely good for cleaning models. Over time it seems to take the colouring out of the plastic covering, but that may be the synthetic oil residue, I found that was a bit of a paint stripper when I first started using it.

   Actually, I’ve never tried it, but thinking about it, perhaps an engine might just run on methylated!
   That might just be the next experiment!

   PB

                                     

[Big Bandit]

Stephen,

 

Could do with a nice new engine test stand but the old 70's Mercury test bed doe's just fine for up to 40's.  It's bolted to a piece of B&Q shelf which is screwed to a piece of 2" x  1/12" that clamps in the work stand. Whole lot varnished with Polyurethane. Tanks are held on with Tie wraps. Both needed packing to get the levels set up to mid spray bar.

I run all of my engines in the garage, and the splatter from the residue can be a pain on the inside of the garage and was thinking of screwing a plastic waste hopper behind the engines to collect all of the blow back residue. With my collection of diesels and glows, plus running the mower and bike the garage smells just like a good garage should.

 

Cheers, Chris.

 

[Stephen Grigg]

Thanks BB you have answered one of my questions.You have to be able to adjust the height of the tank depending on the engine being tested.I was using small cable ties to start with,then a leather strap.In a short time the belt seemed to stretch.Better get some bigger cable ties.That is a good engine stand you have there.I have trouble getting the engines tight some times because bits get in the way of the allen bolts.

Edited By Stephen Grigg on 27/11/2010 20:33:23

Edited By Stephen Grigg on 27/11/2010 20:34:57

[Big Bandit]

Hi Stephen,

 

I've seen this type of test stand going on Ebay from time to time, but to be honest the newer style stands are much better particularly with larger engines. All of my engines are small by today's standard (up to 40's) as I tend to stick with the smaller models. My cable ties came from Aldi in a big tub for £1-99, although the re-usable ones would be good if I could find some. The tank height is critical with older engines where crankcase suction is critical due to wear, I generally change o rings and gaskets to reduce the leakage as much as possible when I re-build an old engine.

 

As I'm mostly electric, I don't tend to fly the IC's much, but there's nothing like firing up the old diesels and glows for a bit of aroma therapy particularly when its mixed in with the smell of Ambroid and dope.

 

Chris.

[sparks59]

Chris,

You hit the nail perfectly on the head..I too fly electric now....but the joy of the old aromatherapy is intoxicating!

sparks

[Stephen Grigg]

Getting these older bunged up engines running is a challenge,Ive a Merco 61 in a bi plane,its my only unreliable engine but Im persevering with it.

[David Davis]

Has anyone ever noticed how attractive the smell of diesel fuel or even the smell diesel exhaust fumes is?

 

Why then, having flown your diesel engined model does the interior of the car smell so repulsive on the journey home?

[Stephen Grigg]

Its what youve picked up on your boots this time of year Dave

[Big Bandit]

Hi Spark's,

 

Probably warmer in your end of the world, haven't stared the Popsie build yet, due to running out of room in the shed, but still feel like building two, one electric and one for the Mills in the photo. In the new year the next project after the kitchen's finished is to re-roof the garage and line it out with some insulation, I'll have plenty of room then. Probably do like Stephen is doing and working through the engine collection one at a time. Love the video of you firing up the PAW.

 

David,

 

Know what you mean, but it's usually me that smells of diesel, particularly after the free flight sessions at Old Warden. I still sometimes like to build with balsa cement particularly Ambroid, with tissue and dope covering, when that's mixed in with the smell of the engines it's magic.

 

Chris.

[sparks59]

I'm thinking of making something to put the PAW in, but it still runs like a maniac and would probably pull the wings off a Popsie! The little DC Merlin would be better suited if it was as good at starting and running as the Macclesfield terror.

sparks

[Big Bandit]

Sparks,

 

Something like a Mercury Matador or KK Bandit would be more suitable, but you would still need to slow the PAW down a bit. I've got kits for both in the shed and could copy the plans if your interested. I did build a KK pirate for the Merlin which fly's well if the compression is backed off, it'll do classic power on left hand, power off right hand circuits, and gets flown every year for the Old Warden mayfly event.

 

Chris.